A different perspective
I answered that I am ready for 4E and the reason is quite simple.
After playing DND for over 20 years, and almost quitting in '98 with 2E, 3E helped me revive my interest in DND for a few more years. However, I have not been playing DND for almost two years now. I have been "discovering" and playing other Fantasy RPGs (either my own through Alternity or White Wolf's Exalted) and find them to be much better, for me, than DND ever was. Therefore, a new version might get me back into DND.
Now, I am not down on ANY version or what ANY other group is doing. This is all imo.
I have stated, and like Diaglo's own tag line this is probably getting old, I want to see DND move away from the war gaming roots and embrace more role playing than game mechanics. White Wolf has proven that a line can be based on role playing fluff and there is TONS of material to be printed for the game, without adding new crunchy game mechanics.
3E had some great moves to making DND more personal and less like a war game. For example, saving throws. The old 2E categories make no sense on an individual basis. For a like group, they do make sense that the group has an "average" save against spells, a breath weapon or poison at a certain level. However, role playing, for me, is about the characters and the story. And an individual making a saving throw against a broad category makes no sense to me. However, Fortitude, Reflex and Will are GREAT! I love them and think that is going a long way to removing the war gaming roots.
Further, what I would like to see, is game mechanics within DND that give players more control over their characters. Mechanics that allow them to succeed, perhaps without a die roll, if that's what they really want to have happen. I would also like to see rules to help the players move the plot along and perhaps even shape the plot, rather than being swept along with what the DM has planned every time. Some of the best games I ever played were collaborations with my players!
Again, I love role playing and any role playing is usually good role playing. I did play DND recently and it was a lot more fun than I thought it would, or could, be. I merely think that the underlying rules effect role playing and would like to see DND continue to focus more on individual characters and story, rather than more rules for another prestige class or combat rules.
That's just my opinion. I am only correct for me.
Have a good one! Take care!
edg